LAUSD Homophobic? or Age innopropiate? Black History Month Controversy?

[Guest OCBeachbody]

Usually I don't give in to these silly news stories, but it was the talk at the water cooler this morning. Apparently at Wadsworth Elementary... several teachers are in trouble for selecting OJ Simpson, Dennis Rodman, and Rupaul Jones. See link for full storyin LA Times. Even the mayor of Los Angeles chimed in on this...

 

Of course at work one side was offend, the other didn't care, and then it came to me... I hate being put on the spot... so this is what i said.

 

"Those choices were fine. 1. OJ Simpson is a famous for winning the Heisman Trophy and had a small career as an actor. He was a prominent celebrity who was accused of murder his wife. 2. Dennis Rodman famous Basketball player, and controversial celebrity icon. 3. Rupaul Jones, celebrity homosexual Dragqueen, singer, and actor/actress, posetive gay rolemodel. Personally I thing RuPaul Jones was the finest example among those three (I was reward a free lunch for that from a co-worker). I think everyone is being overly harsh... and in Rupaul's case homophobic. If you feel that these choices were not age appropriate.... then perhaps they should not be showcasing other like Tiger Woods (sex scandal), Barry Saetoro aka " Pres Barak" (political scandal with ACORN, healthcare, etc), Wesley Snipes (Tax Evasion), or even Civil Rights Activists because themselves as a whole are controversial for that time as well and are not appropriate for children either?

Plus everyone has done something questionable at one time or another".

 

So not to stir up a bee's nest but what does everyone think? Were OJ, Rodman, and RuPaul Jones bad choices? Is considering RuPaul a bad choice make the USD and the mayor homophobic... I know RuPaul has a rather wholesome and clean record overall???

[rvwnsd]

I think RuPaul is an OK choice, if for no other reason than he lives his life as he chooses with little regard for what others think of him and does so without harming others. I'm iffy on Dennis Rodman. I would not choose OJ Simpson. In addition to the charges of murdering his wife and her friend (of which he was acquitted), he was charged with and convicted of braking into someone's hotel room and stealing sports memorabilia.

[justaguy]

I need more information. Did the teachers suggest the names or did kids ask? The article suggests that mockery may have been the object. How the names got on the list could speak to that issue.

 

As far as choices go, I would scrap all three. The goal was to celebrate black history month. Each of the three have celebrity status currently, but none will be historically significant IMHO.

[Boomer]

I believe that the teachers who chose OJ RuPaul and Rodman were white. I very much doubt if African-American teachers would have made the same choices. I have no trouble with RuPaul, although I think better choices could and should have been made. Perhaps starting with our President or First Lady.

[Guest OCBeachbody]

From other articles it says that OJ Simpson was on the approved list of figures since 1985 and was not removed. Other notables such as RuPaul and Rodman were added after the fact. If anyone is to blame, they should point fingers at the committee who are in charge and maintains that list.

[NYTomcat]

The fact is all three are notable black male figures who have made acheivements that make them stand apart. I have no problem with any. In fact my son choose to do a report for black history month. And picked. Yeap. Rupaul. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.